Sarah Owens Collection of Postal Ephemera, PC.5318

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Sarah Owens Collection of Postal Ephemera, PC.5318

Abstract

This collection consists of first day covers and other commemorative stamps issued by the United States Postal Service in honor of significant events in the nation's history. These items primarily relate to topics of historical significance to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and were collected by Manteo resident Sarah Alford Owens from 1971 to 1976.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Sarah Owens Collection of Postal Ephemera
Call Number
PC.5318
Creator
Owens, Sarah Frances Alford, 1937-2015
Date
1971-1976
Extent
0.200 cubic feet
Language
English
Repository
Outer Banks History Center

Series Quick Links

  1. Collection Contents

Restrictions on Access & Use

Access Restrictions

Available for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by the United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying these materials.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], PC.5318, Sarah Owens Collection of Postal Ephemera, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.

Collection Overview

The Sarah Owens Collection of Postal Ephemera, 1971-1976, primarily consists of first day covers and other commemorative stamps issued by the United States Postal Service in honor of significant events in the nation's history. These items primarily relate to topics of historical significance to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, such as the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the Wright Brothers' first flight. In addition to stamps, several programs from celebratory events are included. These materials were collected by Sarah Owens.

Arrangement Note

Chronological.

Biographical/Historical

Sarah Frances (Alford) Owens was born 19 February 1937 in Manteo, North Carolina, to Edwin Joseph Alford (1899-1937) and Cora Mae Daniels (1910-1998). She had one older brother, Edwin Joseph Alford, Jr. (1930-2005), and several younger siblings: Dotty Basnight Fry, Sally Basnight Scarborough, Della Basnight, Saint Basnight, Jr., and Marc Basnight. She married Robert Valentine "Bobby" Owens 8 September 1956 and had two children: Robert Valentine Owens, III (born 1957), and Lisa Sterling (Owens) Hooper (1960-2007). During her lifetime, Sarah performed in The Lost Colony, served with the Manteo Woman's Club, and volunteered with the Dare County Arts Council. She collaborated with photographer Aycock Brown to promote tourism to the Outer Banks in the mid-20th century.

Contents of the Collection

Collection Contents
First Day of Issue US Airmail Nine Cent Stamp, 15 May 1971
Box 1
Scope and Content

envelope publicizes The First Flight Society

First Day of Issue Ceremony Nine Cent Air Mail Post Card and Nine Cent Air Mail Postage Stamp, 15 May 1971
Box 1
First Day of Issue Nine Cent Air Mail Postal Card and Nine Cent Air Mail Stamp Ceremony Program, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 15 May 1971
Box 1
Official First Day Card Nine Cent Airmail Stamp, 15 May 1971
Box 1
Scope and Content

Post Card shows "monument of First Flight 12/17/1903, at the time of First Sep on the Moon 07/20/1969"

First Day of Issue Inaugurating the US Postal Service, 1 July 1971
Box 1
The National Parks Centennial Stamps, 5 January 1972
Box 1
First Day of Issue Cape Hatteras National Park Envelope and National Parks Centennial Stamps, 5 April 1972
Box 1
Scope and Content

envelope show Bodie Island Lighthouse as "Oregon Juliet Lighthouse", an explanation inside the envelope states perhaps the error will make the envelope a collectors item one day

First Day of Issue National Park Centennial Stamps, 5 April 1972
Box 1
Scope and Content

envelope shows a representation of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and a surfboat with USLS members in it

First Day of Issue of National Parks Centennial Envelope and Postage Stamps, 5 April 1972
Box 1
Invitation to Ceremony for the First Day of Issuance of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Commemorative Stamps Honoring the National Parks Centennial Year, 4 May 1972
Box 1
First Day of Issue, US Postal Service, People Serving You, 30 April 1973
Box 1
Scope and Content

one 4 1/2 x 10 1/2 envelope with 10 stamps

First Day of Issue Ceremony 21 Cent International Airmail Postal Card, 17 December 1975
Box 1
Envelope Commemorating Wright Brothers Flight with Stamps Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Commercial Aviation, 17 December 1976
Box 1

Subject Headings

  • United States Postal Service
  • Commemorative postage stamps--United States
  • Covers (philately)--North Carolina
  • Acquisitions Information

    Gift, Donated by Sarah Owens.

    Processing Information

  • Processed by Samantha Crisp, September 2020.